Electric lamp



(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER.

BLEGTRIO LAMP.

No. 571,123. Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

FIG. 3 F 4- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. IIUN"ER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,123, dated November 10, 1896.

Serial No. 487,230. (No model.)

To (all whom it nu/ 7 concern..-

Ile it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to methods of electric illumination and electric lamps therefor; and it consists of certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the aceom panyin g (1 ram ings, which form a part thereof.

This application (Case No. 264) comprehends certain improvements in arc lamps especially designed for lighting large buildings or for outdoor purposes where large engineering operations are in progress and which necessitate a large area being illuminated.

Prior to myinvention it has been customary to illuminate large outdoor areas by means of a series of arc-lamps distributed over the area or by grouping a number of arc-lamps upon a high tower. These are objectionable, owing to the expense in the maintenance of a large number of lamps and to the expensive construction of the tower.

The object of my invention is to cause the light of the lamp to be successively concentrated upon different parts of the space to be illuminated and so operated as to rapidly travel all over the said space repeatedly and with such velocity that the light will not affect the eye of the workmen and the area will be lighted with a fixed steady illumination. The rays of the lamp are reflected by a suitable reflector and by the movement of said reflector are caused to travel with great rapidity over the area to be lighted, so that a concentrated beam of light is thrown upon every part of the said area and is so frequently brought into play upon the same portion thereof that the retina of the eye holds the impression with substantially the same effect as if the beam of light were steady and continually concentrated upon the whole of the area. I have found in practice that with a single arc-lamp a very large area may be thoroughly illuminated, so that in an otherwise dim light a newspaper may be easily read with equal facility over the entire area. In effect the result is as if the beam of light were substantially concentrated upon the particular place at which a person might be standing. It is quite evident that this method of illumination might be carried on within buildings, such as factories, halls, ships, and numerous places where a large and diffused light is required.

In carrying out my invention I employ a focusing-lamp, between the electrodes of which the are is maintained, and combine therewith a rapidly-moving series of reflectors adapted to reflect the light in the direction of the area to be illuminated. The reflector structure is preferably revolved by means of a small electric motor arranged in series with the lamp. The motor may be exceedingly small, as but small power is required to revolve the reflector. The lamp structure may be supported in any suitable manner by being either suspended or arranged upon the top of a pole or post. Broadlyconsidered, it is immaterial to my invention what the details of construction of the lamp or reflector may be, but in the preferred construction I bring a series of reflectors repeatedly in front of the are in succession.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved electric lamp, showing the reflector in section. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the lamp. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified form of reflector, and Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of still another form of reflector.

A is the main frame of the lamp, and is provided with a horizontal guide 13.

C is a frame which is moved along the guide B by means of a spring R.

D is the positive carbon, and is carried by the frame C, and its end rests against the end of a bell-crank lever-I, which is pivoted to the frame A and held in position to keep the carbons G and D separated by means of a solenoid and core J.

F is a vertically-movable carbon-holder carrying the negative carbon G and guided upon a vertical guide E, which is insulated from the frame A, to which it is secured. II is an inclined guide insulated from and ad- 3' ustably clamped to the frame C. The holder F is provided with a grooved guide-wheel f, running upon the upper side of the inclined guide-arm H, which is secured to but insulated from the frame 0. The lower of the binding-posts IV is also insulated from the frame A and is connected by circuits S with the carbon-holder F through arm II.

It will be observed that as the frame G and the guide ll move to the left the carbon G will be permitted to descend. The carbon D controls the movement of the frame C and permits it to move as the end of the carbon 1) becomes burned away. In this manner the lamp is a self focusing lamp excellently adapted to outdoor purposes and exceedingly cheap to construct. The lamp may be provided with any of the well-known cut-out devices.

Ii is a revolving reflector structure having a series of reflectors M and carried upon a central shaft Z, journaled in the frame and revolved by an electric motor N through a power-transmitting device 0.

\V are the terminal binding-posts, one of which is connected to the frame A and by it with the positive carbon 1), and the other terminal is connected by a circuit S with the negative carbon G, which circuit includes the solenoid J and electric motor When it is not desired to use the reflector, a switch P may complete a circuit T around the motor, so that the lamp may operate to maintain the are and the motor be entirely out out of circuit.

The adjusting-screw 2' on the bell crank lever I may be employed to control the positive movement of the said lever under the action of the solenoid andlimit the extent of the are.

It will be observed that if the arc should break the solenoid J would become demagnetized, and the dropping of its core would move the bell-crank lever I until it was arrested by coming in contact with the end of frame A, and thereby permit the spring It to move the carbons G and D into contact, completing the circuit. As soon as the circuit is completed the solenoid J would draw in its core, the lever I would separate the carbons, and the arc would be once more established. The arm II should make, approximately, an angle with a horizontal line of thirty degrees where the carbons G and I) are or" the same diameter and of the same general composition; but this angle may be varied as desired to suit the differences in the size of carbons or their compositions.

The lamp may be supported in any suitable manner by being suspended from above or supported from below. In Fig.1. Ihave shown the lamp arranged upon the top of a pole and adjustable by a universal joint II 7.1. lly this means the light may be projected in any direction desired. The head K is adjustable upon the postor pedestal by the vertical axis IQ, and the lamp proper is adjustable upon the head I; by a transverse axis 7.:.

The reflector Ii may be constructed in a va" riety of ways. In Figs. 1 and it is shown as composed of a series of flatplates, of metal or glass, bent into parabolic contour in one direction and arranged like a polygon, so that they are successively brought into reflecting position before the arc and in such movement cause the beam of light to be reflected in various ways, but so as to cover the area which it is desired to illuminate. 3y employing a series of refleeting-surfaces the light is more uniformly diffused than where a single reflector is used, and thus makes the light more steady with less revolutions. Another form of reflector is shown in Fig. 3, in which we have a series of circular parabolic reflectors connected side by side about a central. shaft Z.

In the construction shown in Fig. l we have still. another form of reflector, in which vertical and flat reflecting-surfaces ill. are em ployed. In this figure I have shown also the carbons as vertical and combined with a small reflector to one side of them (indicated in dotted lines) to project the rays of light all toward the movable reflectors Ill. The reflecting-surfaces Ill may be of metal, glass, or of any substance which will properly reflect the light. Excellent reflectors may be made of mirrors.

In the use of my invention the number of reflecting-surfaces is immaterial, for I may dispense with one or more of the surfaces shown. A single one of these surfaces will suffice if moved rapidly enough, but I prefer to use a number of them, as shown. I would direct attention to the fact that for the proper results to be secured from my invention it is necessary that the moving reflector shall have an axis of revolution which does not pass through the are or source of light, but shall be so arranged that the reflector is located wholly to one side of the lamp proper for the purpose of constantly shiftirg its position relatively to the lamp to insure the constant change of direction of the reflected rays relatively to the direct rays emitted from lhe are.

It is immaterial what form of arc-lamp is employed, but I prefer a focusingdamp as producing the best effects anu requiring the least att .ition.

In connection with the invention herein set out and claimed I would refer to the following patent and application of mine as showingthe art. In myPatent No. -lflfi3,2l58, dated lllarch ll, 1893, I have shown a arch-light for concentrating he of light upon a distant object and then causing said concentrated beam of light to vibrate rapidly to bring into illumination a more extended area of vision by impressing upon the re 'na off the eye a rapid succession of illuminated per-- tions of the object. In securing this result I caused the reflector to first ctnwentral'e the rays from the are and then vibrated it about the are as a center both vertically and laterally. In my present case I first project direct diverging rays upon an extended area and then cause reflected rays to be projected over the area without disturbing the direct illumination. In carrying out this object I IIO employ a reflector which is pivoted to one side of the lamp and its are and bring it into and out of action. In the present case the problem is different from the search-light of my Patent No. 493,358, since I maintain constant the direct illumination of the large area to be illuminated and which is comparatively close at hand. In my application Serial No. 401,388, filed August 1, 1891, I disclose a search-light for the same objects as those of my Patent No. 493,358 referred to. In that application I employ a reflector or lenses, or both, and cause them to be vibrated by elec tric motors about the are as a center or focus. In that case the rays are concentric or focused upon the objects and projected so as to illuminate only a small area, and the beam of light is then caused to be vibrated both vertically and horizontally at the same time to illuminate a more extended area of sea or object. In that application, as well as the patent, the vibrated beam of light is the sole means for illumination, while in my present case the direct rays light up the full area, and these are reinforced by the reflected m ovable beams.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a focusing arc-lamp, with a reflector having a series of reflectingsurfaees and located to one side of the lamp, and means to move the said reflector rapidly so as to bring the different surfaces successively into and out of reflecting position.

2. The combination of a focusing arc-lamp, with a reflector having a series of reflectingsurfaees, and means consisting of an electric motor arranged in series circuit with the earbons of the lamp to move the said reflector rapidly so as to bring the different surfaces successively into and out of reflecting post tion.

3. The combination of an arclamp, a reflector structure pivoted at one side of the arc-lamp and provided with one or more reflecting-surfaces, and means to rapidly move the reflecting-surfaces into and out of reflecting position and shift them bodily relatively to the lamp.

at. The combination of a focusing arc lamp,

a reflector structure pivoted at one side of the arc of the lamp and provided with a reflecting device, and an electric motor to rapidly move the reflecting device into and out of reflecting position.

5. The combination of an arc-lamp, reflector structure pivoted at one side of the arc of the lamp and provided with oneor more reflect in g-surfaces made parabolic in vertical crosssection and substantially straight in trans verse cross section, and means to rapidly move the reflecting-surfaces into and out of reflecting position.

(5. The combination of an arc-lamp, with a pivoted reflector having its periphery provided With a series of independent reflecting surfaces, and means to rapidly revolve the re flector so as to bring the same side of the reflecting-surfaces successively into and out of reflecting position with respect to the are.

7. The combination of a focusing-lamp,with two or more parabolic-shaped reflectors directed in different directions, a movable support common to said parabolic reflectors and adapted to shift them into different positions relatively to the lamp to bring them successively into and out of reflecting position with respect to the arc of the lamp, and means for moving the said support.

8. The combination of a focusing-lamp,with two or more parabolic-shaped reflectors directed in different directions, a movable support common to said parabolic reflectors and adapted to shift them into different positions relatively to the lamp to bring them successively into and out of reflecting position with respect to the arc of the lamp, and means for moving the said support consisting of an electric motor in series with the lamp.

9. The combination of an arc-lamp, with a movable frame journalcd upon a vertical axis at one side of the lamp, an electric motor to revolve the frame, a reflecting device carried by the frame, and a common support for the electric lamp electric motor and revolving frame.

10. The combination of an arc-lamp, with a movable frame journaled in a vertical axis at one side of the lamp, an electric motor to revolve the frame, a reflecting device carried by the frame, a common support for the electric lamp electric motor and revolving frame, and means to adjust the said common support so as to project the reflected beam of light in various directions.

11. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a horizontal guide, a movable frame movable upon said guide and adapted to carry one of the carbons, a second guide arranged at an angle to the first-mentioned guide, a carbon holder for the other carbon movable upon said second guide, an oblique guide carried upon the movable frame supporting the firstmentioned carbon for controlling the movement of the carbon-holder for the second-mentioned carbon, and electrical devices controlled by the are for moving the movable frame so as to establish and maintain the are between the carbons.

12. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a horizontal guide, a movable frame movable upon said guide and adapted to carry one of the carbons, a second guide arranged at an angle to the first-mentioned guide, a carbonholder for the other carbon movable upon said guide, an oblique guide carried upon the movable frame supporting the first mentioned carbon for controlling the movement of the carbon-holder for the second-mentioned carbon, a spring to move the movable frame, a movable part act-ing upon the carbon of said movable frame to limit its movement under the action of the spring, and an electromagnetic device in circuit with the are for oper atin g the movable part, whereby the movable frame may be moved so as to establish and maintain the are between the carbons.

13. The combination with an arc lamp adapted to emit direct diverging rays of light upon the objects whereby they are constantly illuminated, of a reflector wholly at one side of the carbons of the arc-lamp for spreading the reflected rays of light, means for imparting a rapid movement to the reflector whereby the reflected rays of light are always projected upon the objects which are constantly illuminated by the direct rays and the direction of said reflected rays are continuallybeing changed and the illumination of the objects thereby increased, an electric motor to operate said movable reflector, and means for cutting the electric motor out of circuit while maintaining the electrical circuit through the lamp.

14c. The herein-described method of continually lighting a large or extended area with a given consumption of electric energy consisting in maintaining an arc and directly projecting diverging rays of light therefrom continuously upon the area to be illuminated, reflecting the rays of light of the are which project away from the area to be illuminated into a diverging reflected beam of light, and causing said diverging reflected beam of light to rapidly travel over the area which is contin ually illuminated by the directly-projected diverging rays of light whereby the illumination by the direct rays is reinforced or intensifled by the reflected rays at rapid intervals.

15. The herein-described method of lighting a large or extended area with a given consumption of electric energy, consisting in maintaining an arc and directly projecting diverging rays of light therefrom continuously upon the area to be illuminated, reflecting the rays of light of the are which project away from the area to be illuminated into a beam of light and upon the area to be illuminated, and causing said reflected beam of light to be intermittently projected at rapid intervals and caused to rapidly travel over the extended area continuously illuminated by the direct rays.

16. The herein-described method of lighting alarge or extended area with a given consumption of electric energy consisting in maintainin an arc and directly projecting diverging rays of light therefrom upon the area to be illuminated, projecting the rays from said are which extend backward simultaneously into two or more independent reflected beams of light, and causing said reflected beams of light to rapidly travel in the same direction over the extended area which is constantly illuminated by the direct rays.

17. The herein-described method of lighting a large or extended area with a given consumption of electric energy consisting of maintaining an are, causing the rays of light therefrom to be reflected in a series of successive intermittent beams of light, and cansing said intermittent beams of light to be moved sufficiently rapidly over the area to be illuminated in the same direction as to cause the illumination of the entire area by direct and reflected rays to be constant.

In testimony of which invention 1 have hereunto set my hand.

Vitnesses:

Enxns'r Ilowann ll'ox'rnn, G. M. Drn'rrnmcn. 

